As night deepened, Da Yuer sat under the lamp, copying the new Manchu characters that Hong Taiji had written in the study today. He had written down the areas that were easy to confuse, so that Da Yuer could practice from them.
As for the writing exercises sent by Fan Wencheng, she had been diligently copying them, but how could she not cherish the characters written by Huang Taiji himself?
The new teacher was also Han Chinese, young but fluent in both Manchu and Mongolian. When he first saw Manchu characters, he thought each one looked the same. Da Yuer laughed. The first time she saw Chinese characters, she thought they all looked like little blocks, and now she realized everyone felt the same way.
The curtain at the door was lifted, and Sumala was pushed in. Da Yuer glanced at her and said, "You plan to stop seeing me from now on?"
Since returning from the study, Sumala had been ignoring Da Yuer. She didn't even come to attend to her during the evening meal. It was only after Da Yuer had sent someone to urge her twice that she had finally been brought here.
Sumala pouted, looking utterly aggrieved, standing still in the doorway. Da Yuer put down her pen and said, "Now I understand why my aunt always says she spoiled me. It turns out, I have spoiled you too."
"But, I can't learn," Sumala said anxiously. "You said if I can't learn, I'll be punished. How could you..."
"Come here!" Da Yuer scowled.
Sumala dared not defy her. She sluggishly took a few steps forward. Da Yuer rolled up her book and swatted it on her bottom, sternly saying, "You've become bold, huh? Dare not listen to me?"
"Miss, how could I go to the study with you? If the Great Concubine knows, she'll say you're being improper, and say I have no manners. If outsiders know, they'll laugh." Sumala said earnestly. "I'm afraid those teachers won't be willing to teach me either."
Da Yuer replied, "With the current rules in the Jin dynasty, even though you're a servant, you're far more valuable than them. Why would they be unwilling to teach you? But regardless of status, we must respect our teachers. The Han people also say, 'There should be no discrimination in education,' so whether you're a maid or a master, it doesn't matter."
"'Discrimination? Education?'" Sumala didn't understand.
"I didn't understand it before either," Da Yuer said with a smile, patiently coaxing, "Sumala, you're the closest person to me. Even Qiqige can't come here often. Between her and me, there's the Great Khan and Dorgon. My aunt doesn't spend time with me, and the Great Khan is always busy with state affairs. As for my sister… I feel lonely by myself. It'll be a long time before Yatu and Atu grow up. Just consider it as keeping me company, okay? I'll tell my aunt and the Great Khan. The Great Khan loves seeing people who love reading."
Seeing her mistress speak so pitifully, Sumala couldn't bear it. When Da Yuer mentioned her sister, she said, "Older Princess came to the study today. When she knew the Great Khan was there, she left with Princess Yatu. Miss, I know I shouldn't be saying this, but wouldn't it be better if you let go of some things? If you did, everyone would be happy."
Da Yuer calmly responded, "Sumala, I'm afraid if I let go, I'll stop loving my man. Right now, I can't find any better way to prove that I still love him. I'm very afraid, very afraid that one day, I won't care anymore."
Sumala didn't understand. She had never loved a man, but she knew her mistress loved the Great Khan deeply.
At that moment, other palace maids came in, seemingly to say something. Sumala went to the door to listen, glancing outside. Da Yuer was feeling the wind and called out, "What are you looking at?"
Sumala was about to withdraw her head but saw the curtain in front of Qingning Palace rise. The Great Khan walked out without his coat and headed straight for Hairanju's side palace. Outside the door, Baoqing was kneeling as punishment. The Great Khan said something to her and took her inside.
"I'm freezing to death," Da Yuer said. "Quick, lower the curtain and close the door."
Sumala quickly ran back. She casually asked, "What are you looking at?"
"Across the way…" Sumala hesitated, unable to bring herself to say what she had seen.
"Zarut's dead," Da Yuer said. "Did you see them move her body out?"
"Yes, yes," Sumala replied.
Da Yuer coldly said, "What's there to be afraid of? Just pretend she was never here. Sumala, light another candle for me; it's too dim."
Sumala went to light the candle, still thinking about what was happening next door. Though she didn't know why the older Princess would have Baoqing punished by kneeling, it seemed like the Great Khan had gone over there as soon as there was some commotion. Perhaps he was already planning to go, or perhaps not. Oh well... Sumala reminded herself not to say anything more. Clearly, Miss was still upset, and she should keep quiet.
That night, Da Yuer didn't know that the Great Khan had originally planned to rest at Qingning Palace. However, upon hearing that Baoqing was being punished, he went to check on Hairanju. He didn't return to Qingning Palace, and Jeje wasn't concerned. What she feared was that if Da Yuer found out, there would be another uproar.
Fortunately, the night passed peacefully. The next morning, Da Yuer happily brought Sumala with her to ask for the Great Khan's approval to let Sumala study with her.
The Great Khan initially thought Da Yuer was just playing around by going to the study. However, as she kept improving, he saw her writing yesterday, and though her Chinese characters were still rough, they were neat. Da Yuer was naturally clever, and because of this, she knew her own thoughts and worked hard to transform into the person she was now.
"You've been misbehaving again," Jeje naturally played the role of the bad cop, giving the Great Khan an out. The Great Khan agreed.
Da Yuer kicked Sumala and said, "Why aren't you thanking him?"
Adai, laughing from the side, said, "Thank him? You've probably scared Sumala half to death already, Consort Yu."
The Great Khan chuckled, and Jeje relaxed. She looked at Da Yuer, as if not knowing about what had happened the previous night.
But upon reflecting on the past days, Da Yuer hadn't made a scene about the Great Khan staying in Hairanju's room. She must still have many unresolved feelings, but she had, in the end, been understanding.
At that moment, Niman came in with news about Zarut's death. The Great Khan calmly told Jeje, "You handle it."
Naturally, the couple had an unspoken understanding, and Niman was merely playing along. After that, everything followed the proper protocols. The people in the palace were shocked to hear the news, but since Zarut had "disappeared" for so long, this outcome was inevitable.
Consort Doutumen was summoned, but she didn't even dare to cry. It wasn't until she exited Qingning Palace that she was able to shed a few tears in her cousin's room. However, there were guards, and through the curtains, she could barely make out the body lying there, unable to see anything clearly.
Back in her side palace, Consort Doutumen was still trembling. The maids surrounding her were all sent by Jeje. Although they served her attentively, they didn't treat her with genuine care, allowing her to be alone in a corner to grieve.
The funeral ceremony for the East Palace side consort was quite simple. It wasn't customary to hold a funeral during the first month of the year. Qiqige specially came to the palace, but was reproached by Jeje: "You're not well, why come here? She isn't even a proper mistress."
Qiqige did indeed look unwell, though thick makeup hid much of it, and the exhaustion in her eyes couldn't be concealed. She asked Jeje, "Where's Yuer? Has she gone to the study again?"
Jeje smiled, "She's been working hard lately. It's good. At least she can sit still, which makes me feel more at ease."
There was truth in that remark, though also a hint of jest. Qiqige smiled along, and when women from other households arrived, she took the opportunity to withdraw. Led by a palace maid, she headed toward the study.
When she reached the courtyard of the study, a few palace maids were warming themselves by a stove under the eaves, chatting about the gossip in the palace. One of them mentioned Zarut, who had been sent out of the palace for burial that morning. She said, "On the day of the Fifteenth Beile's birthday, she and Consort Yu had a long talk on the road, which really upset Consort Yu. Later, she went to the Fifteenth Beile's residence and took her anger out on the servants there."
Qiqige was intrigued by this. Could it be that Yuer's strange expression that day wasn't because she was helping Fan Wencheng retrieve his woman, but for some other reason?
But by the time she had entered the study, the maids noticed her and quickly dispersed, greeting her respectfully.
Qiqige didn't ask further, pretending she hadn't heard, and took off her coat and snow hat before walking into the study.
Inside, Da Yuer and Sumala were sitting side by side. The little princesses were practicing their calligraphy, with the young teacher guiding their hands, teaching them to write stroke by stroke. The study looked quite properly set up.
Da Yuer saw her standing by the window and stood up to walk over, "Let's step aside to talk. What brings you here? Didn't you say you weren't feeling well the past few days?"
Qiqige replied, "I didn't want to come, but since Zarut passed, there are certain formalities that must be observed." She was led to a side room where they sat close to the fire. Qiqige said, "Look at my complexion, it doesn't seem too good, right?"
Da Yuer carefully examined Qiqige, noticing the dullness beneath the makeup, her eyes bloodshot. It pained her deeply, and yet, as the days passed, she had grown accustomed to this pain. However, the pain had not lessened. She still relentlessly blamed herself for being so heartless, but her ability to endure it had grown stronger over time.
"Just rest for a few days, I told you, you've been overworking," Da Yuer said with a smile. "Are you troubled in your heart?"
"I'm not thinking about it anymore," Qi Qi Ge replied. "What makes me happy now is that Dorgon won't leave until after February. After so many years of marriage, it's the first time we've spent so much time together since Father and Mother passed."
"Not going to fight Joseon?" Da Yuer asked.
"We are, but we have to wait a little longer. The Great Khan seems to want him to gather the troops, so he left the city early this morning," Qiqige said. "But even if he comes back late every day, it's still better than not being home at all. What do you think?"
Da Yuer, wanting to cheer Qiqige up, said, "Once you've rested, I'll go with you to the outskirts to see how Dorgon is training the troops. You must want to see that, right?"
Qiqige teased, "You just want to see it yourself, don't blame me."
Da Yuer laughed and hugged her gently. "So, will you go?"